Q: What is the Grade 9/10 Individual Assessment/Equivalency Process?

A: It is an individual mature student assessment/equivalency process for the purpose of granting UP TO 16 grade 9 and 10 credits through (a) transcripts, (b) transcripts and completion of individual assessments, or (c) completion of individual assessments.

Students without appropriate transcripts for all or part of the first two years of secondary school will be required to complete an individual assessment in some or all of the Grade 9 and 10 English, mathematics, science, and Canadian geography/history.

Q: How do individual assessments result in credits?

A: Mature students, who have completed all or part of the first two years of secondary school in an educational system comparable to that in Ontario and have appropriate transcripts, are granted equivalent credits by the principal based on an examination of the transcript. The principal will grant the equivalent credits if the curriculum expectations and standards of achievement are similar to the curriculum expectations and standards where credits are granted to students who have taken the course.

If mature students do not have transcripts or have not completed the first two years of secondary school, they may be required to successfully complete an Individual Assessment in some or all of Grade 9 and 10 Canadian geography/history, English, mathematics and/or science.

The individual assessment is a "pass/fail" assessment.

Successful completion of the individual assessment process will result in up to four credits in each of the four core subject areas. These Grade 9 and 10 credits will meet the diploma requirements that would usually be met through successful completion of the Grade 9 and 10 programs.

If the student earns fewer than four credits in each subject area, the principal or designate will determine how the student can obtain the remaining grade 9/10 credits.

Q: How many credits can be granted through the Grade 9 and 10 individual assessment/equivalency process?

A: A maximum of 16 grade 9 and 10 equivalency credits can be granted through the mature PLAR process based on their transcript; or assessments; or a combination of transcript and assessments.

Q: What happens if a student's transcript is topped up to 16 grade 9/10 credits and then the student completes an additioanl grade 9 or 10 credit bringing the total grade 9/10 credit count to 17?

A: In this case one of the grade 9/10 PLE credits would be clawed back. The ministry document states that a student obtaining credits through the mature PLAR process may have no more than 16 grade 9/10 credits in total on their transcript.

Q: How is the record keeping done?

A: Entries on the student's Cumulative Tracking Record will show the equivalent credits granted for Grades 9 and 10, entered as one total for each core subject area. (eg. English --- 4)

Entries on the student's Ontario Student Transcript will show the equivalent credits granted for Grades 9 and 10, entered as one total. (eg. 16 PLE credits)

Q: Can a student earn a grade 10 Certificate through the Grade 9/10 Equivalency process?

A: In exceptioanl cases the principal may grant the OSSC (Ontario Secondary School Certificate) to a mature student following successful completion of individual assessments.